Bindi Irwin’s Legacy: How Two Siblings Danced Their Way Into ‘Dancing With the Stars’ History

Bindi Irwin’s Influence: A Decade-Long Legacy on the Dance Floor

When Bindi Irwin took home the Mirrorball trophy in 2015, she did more than just win a televised dance competition—she became a symbol of perseverance and joy. Now, a decade later, her younger brother Robert Irwin has mirrored her achievement, clinching victory in the 34th season of the American ‘Dancing With the Stars’ (DWTS). For the Irwin family, this isn’t just about dance—it’s about legacy, resilience, and the enduring impact of a name synonymous with both wildlife conservation and heartfelt public moments.

Robert Irwin’s Journey: From Crocodiles to the Cha-Cha

Robert Irwin, best known as an Australian wildlife conservationist and the son of the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, stepped out of his comfort zone and onto the ballroom stage. Partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson, Robert faced a gauntlet of themed choreography—ranging from TikTok trends to Disney classics—over the course of the season. As The Guardian reports, the finale was a marathon, stretching over three hours and pushing the finalists to their physical and emotional limits.

The final episode was a battle of personalities and styles. Alongside Robert were social media influencer Alix Earle, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actor Elaine Hendrix, and Dylan Efron, brother of Zac Efron. But it was Robert’s combination of tenacity, charisma, and vulnerability that set him apart. Despite dealing with a persistent rib injury—a point he and Carson discussed both on air and on TikTok—Robert powered through three rounds of demanding routines. He admitted, “If I push any harder, my body’s going to break.” The pain was real: “I catch crocodiles, and a crocodile has never managed to screw up my ribs like that. Dancing is hard,” he quipped to Los Angeles Times.

Family, Fame, and the Meaning of Victory

The Irwin siblings’ back-to-back wins—Bindi in 2015, Robert in 2025—are more than mere coincidence. Both brought a kind of authenticity rarely seen on reality television. Bindi, then just 17, had danced in honor of her late father, Steve Irwin, whose untimely death left an indelible mark on fans worldwide. Robert, now 21, echoed those sentiments, breaking down in tears after his final performance: “I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here.” This raw emotion resonated with viewers, making his victory feel not just like a personal triumph, but a shared moment of remembrance and celebration.

The finale’s tension was palpable. Judges awarded Alix Earle a perfect score of 90, while Robert tied with Jordan Chiles at 89. But in a twist emblematic of the show’s unpredictable magic, public voting shifted the outcome. According to co-host Julianne Hough, this season drew the highest voting numbers in DWTS history, and the gap between Robert and Alix was the narrowest ever recorded. When host Alfonso Ribeiro finally declared, “The winners and new champions of Dancing with the Stars are … Robert and Witney,” it felt like the closing of a circle begun a decade before.

Resilience, Injury, and the Human Cost of Performance

Behind the glitter and glamour, the road to the Mirrorball trophy is paved with pain and perseverance. Both Robert and his partner Witney Carson were nursing injuries in the days leading up to the finale. “We’re kind of falling apart right now,” Carson admitted on TikTok. The physical toll was obvious during rehearsals, particularly in the quickstep and instant dance rounds, where the choreography demanded both speed and precision. At one point, Robert worried he might not be able to complete the night: “If I pull something in the quickstep, I can’t do the instant dance, I can’t do the freestyle.” Yet, despite the setbacks, the duo managed a perfect score during the high-pressure instant dance segment, proving that sometimes, grit outpaces even the most daunting odds.

This season of DWTS was also notable for its cast diversity, with competitors hailing from the worlds of social media, sports, and Hollywood. But unlike some contestants whose appearances are framed as public relations exercises, Robert’s narrative was one of genuine connection and growth. In an era where reality TV often veers into the sensational, the Irwins—both Bindi and Robert—have stood out for their sincerity and their ability to draw viewers into their world without artifice.

The Irwin Siblings: More Than Just Winners

There’s a quiet poetry in how two siblings, a decade apart, managed to win the same competition under such different circumstances. For the Irwins, the dance floor is just another stage on which to share their story—a story shaped by loss, hope, and a relentless drive to honor family. As Robert hoisted the Mirrorball trophy, it wasn’t just a celebration of victory, but a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Irwin family, and a reminder of the power of vulnerability in the public eye.

The facts of Robert Irwin’s win, echoing his sister Bindi’s historic triumph, underline how deeply the Irwin family legacy resonates with audiences worldwide. Their victories are not just about performance, but about resilience, authenticity, and the enduring bonds of family—a narrative that continues to inspire and unite viewers across generations.